Three jump to escape Trenton two-alarm fire that damaged three homes

TRENTON – Three people were injured jumping from a second-story window to escape a raging fire in North Trenton today, officials said.

The residents' home on Race Street was destroyed in the early-morning blaze, which also damaged two connected rowhomes and left more than 15 people homeless. The three who jumped were upstairs when the fire broke out just before 5:30 a.m., Battalion Chief Robert Tharp said.

“The fire was from the first floor and it came racing up the stairwell and their escape was cut off,” Tharp said.

With the assistance of police officers, the three leaped to safety, but they were injured in the fall. Two of those rescued suffered minor injuries, while the third person’s injuries were more serious but not life-threatening, Tharp said.

The blaze spread across the connected porch roofs of the three homes, and firefighters arrived to find heavy fire blowing out from all three buildings. The flames were brought under control after about 90 minutes, officials said.

Firefighters were able to keep fire damage to the adjacent buildings to a minimum but the structures did have smoke and water damage, Tharp said.